Interspecific tree named ‘Bella Sweet’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Tree with vigorous, upright growth.   2. Heavy and regular production of large size fruit.   3. Fruit with attractive red skin color.   4. Fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality.

Botanical designation: Interspecific Prunus species.

Variety denomination: ‘Bella Sweet’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofinterspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of interspecific and peach trees, which areknown to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Flavor Treat’ Interspecific (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 12,936), ‘Bella Royale’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 19,925), our non-patented proprietary interspecific selections‘119LT340’, ‘53MB152’, ‘66Z352’, ‘67Z1’ and our proprietary peen-topeach selection ‘55ZA18’ (non-patented).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was originated by usfrom crosses of the following species; Prunus salicina, Prunus armeniacaand Prunus persica. The present variety is a first generation crossbetween our proprietary non-patented interspecific seedlings with thefield identification numbers ‘119LT340’ and ‘53MB152’. The seed parent(119LT340) interspecific (non-patented) originated as a first generationcross between our proprietary interspecific seedling ‘66Z352’(non-patented) and ‘Flavor Treat’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No.12,936). The pollen parent (53MB152) interspecific (non-patented)originated as a first generation cross between our proprietarynon-patented interspecific seedling ‘67Z1’ and our proprietary peen-topeach seedling ‘55ZA18’ (non-patented). A large number of these firstgenertion seedlings, growing on their own root system, were budded toolder trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to induce earlierfruit production for evaluation. Under close and careful observation,one seedling, which is the present variety, exhibited desirable fruitand tree characteristics and was selected in 2009 for additional asexualpropagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2009 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety ofinterspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock(non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard locatednear Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to theoriginal tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit areestablished and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree (Plum×Apricot×Peach)is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a productive and regularbearer of large size, yellow flesh fruit with excellent flavor andeating quality. The fruit is further characterized by having attractivered skin that has very short, soft pubescence similar to an apricot. Incomparison to its seed parent ‘119LT340’ interspecific (non-patented)the fruit of the new variety has darker red skin color and isapproximately 32 days later in maturity. In comparison to its pollenparent ‘53MB152’ interspecific (non-patented) the fruit of the newvariety has darker red skin color, yellow flesh compared to red and isapproximately 30 days later in maturity. In comparison to the commercialvariety ‘Bella Royale’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,925) thefruit of the new variety is larger in size with darker red skin color.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 5 year'old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 5 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices and climatic conditions.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of approximately 1.5 to 2            meters in height the first growing season. Varies slightly            with soil type, fertility and cultural practices.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 30°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set            varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.        -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 3 consecutive            years. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self-sterile, pollinator required.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to allow            sunlight to center of tree to enhance fruit color and health            of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 800 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Average circumference 41.5 cm at 22.9 cm above ground            on a 5 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age of            tree.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 6/2 to 5Y 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 14.2 cm at 1.0 meter            above ground on a 5 year old tree. Crotch angle            approximately 30°, increases with heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 67 in a 25.8 sq cm section of            branch. Average length 3.6 mm. Average width 1.7 mm. Color            varies from 10YR 7/8 to 10YR 6/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/8 to 2.5YR 4/4 where            exposed to the sun. Mature growth varies from 10YR 3/4 to            10YR 2/2, varies with age of growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 116.3 mm. Average            width 46.0 mm.        -   Form.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrulate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower            surface relatively smooth except for ridges created by            midrib and pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 14.9 mm. Average width 1.3 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Color varies from 5GY 6/6 to 7.5R            3/6. Surface — glabrous.        -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small to medium. Average            length 1.0 mm. Average diameter 0.6 mm. Average number 2,            varies 1 to 3. Located primarily on the base of the leaf            blade and upper portion of the petiole. Color varies from            5GY 5/6 to 7.5R 2/6.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 5.3 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 6/8.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 7.5GY 3/6 to 10GY 3/4.            Lower surface varies from 7.5GY 5/4 to 7.5GY 5/6. Midvein            color varies from 5GY 8/4 to 5GY 7/4.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 7.7 mm. Average            diameter 4.6 mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 8.3 mm. Average width 0.6 mm. Color            varies from 10Y 7/6 to 2.5GY 7/8. Surface — glabrous.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Number of buds per spur.—Varies from 10 to 15, average            number 12. Varies with age of spur.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 23, 2012. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 5, 2012, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Small to medium. Average height 10.4 mm. Average            diameter 16.2 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Petal            apex — rounded. Petal base — rounded to somewhat truncated.            Size — small to medium. Average length 7.9 mm. Average width            5.7 mm. Form — globose. Arrangement — free. Margin —            sinuate. Color N 9.5/ (white). Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            small. Average length 2.3 mm. Average width 1.7 mm. Form —            triangular. Sepal apex rounded to triangular. Margin —            entire. Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous. Color —            upper surface varies from 10Y 7/8 to 2.5GY 7/6. Lower            surface varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 2.5GY 7/8.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 36. Average filament            length 8.1 mm. On average, the stamens are above the height            of the petals. Filament color N 9.5/ (white). Anther color            varies from 2.5Y 8/2 to 7.5YR 5/10.        -   Pollen.—Present, self-sterile, pollinator required. Color            varies from 2.5Y 7/10 to 5Y 7/10.        -   Pistil.—Normally one. Average length 7.7 mm. Position of            stigma an average of 1.4 mm below anthers. Surface —            pubescent. Color varies from 10Y 8/6 to 2.5GY 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Heavy aroma.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 3, varies from            1 to 4.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 8.9 mm. Average width 0.6 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 8/8 to 2.5GY 7/8. Surface glabrous.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for            consumption.        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 2, 2012.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 10, 2012, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average diameter axially 60.8 mm.            Average transversely in suture plane 62.8 mm. Average weight            150.5 grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil,            amount of thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Nearly smooth to very slightly lipped, extends from            base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth.        -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in the suture            plane. Average depth 1.7 mm. Average diameter 1.7 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 17.1 mm. Average diameter 1.9            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/6.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Good, comparable to other commercial            interspecifics.        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent.        -   Flavor.—Excellent, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Acidity.—Not available.        -   Brix.—Average Brix of 19.4°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 5Y 9/4 to 5Y 8.5/8.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 26.0 mm. Average width 20.1 mm.            Average depth 8.0 mm. Color varies from 7.5YR 6/10 to 7.5YR            6/12.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount, very short.        -   Bloom.—Moderate amount, completely covered.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 10YR 8/6 to 2.5Y 8.5/4.            Overspread with 5R 2/4 to 7.5R 2/8.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Freestone, weak adherence.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 24.2 mm. Average width            19.0 mm. Average thickness 12.6 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Varies from flat to slightly pointed.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 2.0 mm.        -   Surface.—Lightly pitted throughout, one short groove on each            side of the suture extending from base to apex.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—A small ridge on each side of suture extending from            base to apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 4/6 to 10YR 5/8 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 15.0 mm. Average width            8.1 mm. Average thickness 3.9 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 7.5YR 4/6 to 10YR 5/8.-   Use:    -   -   Dessert.—Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 2 weeks at 38°    to 42° F. without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of    flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal flesh bruising or skin scarring    during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program. No atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices. The present new variety of interspecific tree, its    flowers, foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight    detail due to climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under    which the variety may be grown. The present description is that of    the variety grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near    Modesto, Calif.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecifictree, substantially as illustrated and described.